pfmc – Fishermens News

19Apr

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PFMC: Offshore Wind Energy Development May Not be Compatible With Fisheries

The Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) has brought to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek concerns about potential adverse impacts to fisheries from offshore wind energy in ocean waters off of the Oregon coast. In an April 6 letter, the PFMC suggested to Kotek that the state rescind the Coos Bay and Brookings call areas, and that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) not proceed with Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) at this time. The council said it’s not opposed to development of offshore wind energy, but seeks a development process that considers multiple ocean uses, and sites OSW energy facilities in way compatible with multiple uses. The council urged the BOEM to restart the process of identifying call areas off Oregon by considering all areas greater than 12 miles offshore, including ...

15Mar

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PFMC Offers Alternatives for 2023 West Coast Ocean Salmon Fisheries

The Pacific Fishery Management Council last week adopted three alternatives for 2023 ocean salmon fisheries off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California, all in advance of its plan to make a final decision on salmon seasons during its April 1-7 meeting. Detailed information about season starting dates, areas open and catch limits for the three alternatives are on online at the council’s website: www.pcouncil.org. The council noted that forecasts for West Coast Chinook and coho stocks in 2023 are a mixed bag, with some low and high points when compared to 2022 stocks. Federal requirements to conserve Canada’s Fraser River coho, lower Columbia River natural tule Chinook, Klamath River fall Chinook and Sacramento River fall Chinook are the main constraints for this year’s ocean sal...

15Mar

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2023 Commercial Ocean Troll Salmon Fishery Cancelled

Commercial ocean troll salmon fishery seasons that were scheduled to open between March 15 and May 15 in all areas from Cape Falcon to the Oregon-California border have been cancelled for 2023, officials with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced March 9. They said the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the states of Oregon and California, met to take the action on scheduled commercial troll Chinook salmon openings off Oregon. It was noted that multiple stocks of California Chinook salmon are at extremely low abundance and are projected to potentially fall below target spawning escapements. Officials with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) said that for ocean salmon seasons f...

15Mar

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PFMC Urges Rescinding Oregon Offshore Wind Energy Call Areas

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) on March 9 joined commercial fisheries entities in recommending that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) rescind the current Oregon call areas designated for floating offshore wind energy management and restart the siting process. In reconsidering the issue, the PFMC urged BOEM to use a spatial mapping tool focused on identifying deconflicted areas suitable for wind energy development. A copy of the council’s recommendation was also sent to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotel. Seven council advisory groups have provided statements voicing concerns about the current process, with several calling for BOEM to rescind the current call areas. “The Council's action sends a strong signal to BOEM that fisheries leaders do not want to risk losing our ...

ODFW to Look Back at 2022, Forward to 2023 Salmon Season

11Jan

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ODFW to Look Back at 2022, Forward to 2023 Salmon Season

The 2023 Ocean Salmon Industry Group meeting is scheduled to take place Feb. 27 in Newport, Ore., both in person and virtually, to review the 2022 seasons and take a look at 2023 salmon forecasts. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) officials said this meeting is also to begin development of Oregon preferred recreational and commercial ocean salmon season concepts via public input to take through the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) regulation-setting process. The meeting is open to commercial salmon troll fishers, ocean sport fishing anglers and charter operators, as well as others interested in participating in development of the 2023 ocean salmon seasons. ODFW staff are expected to provide background materials and presentations, then work with attendees to develop...

13Jul

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NOAA Boosts July Chinook Salmon Quota from Humbug Mountain to California Border

NOAA Fisheries has boosted the allowable catch for July for the commercial troll Chinook salmon season from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon/California border, which opened on July 1, from 400 to 687 fish. The decision was made in early July in consultation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), the Salmon Technical Team of the PFMC, and fishery representatives. NOAA officials said the quota was increased by 287 kings on an impact neutral basis after rolling the 410 Chinooks remaining from the June quota of 800 Chinook to July. No other changes to the season structure were announced, allowing the fishery to continue with a landing week ...

25May

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Pacific Fishery Management Council Meets June 8-14

Federal fisheries managers meeting in Vancouver, Washington, June 8-14 have several key items on their agenda, including final action to adopt harvest specifications, management measures and exempted fishing permits for the 2023-2024 groundfish fisheries. Other key actions for consideration at the meeting include adopting a final limited entry fixed gear catch share program review document and providing guidance on whether to concurrently develop new management measures, adoption of the coastal pelagic species essential fish habitat phase 2 action plan, and adoption of preliminary highly migratory species exempted fishing permits. The council also plans to adopt a range of alternatives for hard bycatch caps in the drift gillnet fleet. The Pacific Fishery Management Council not...